Rehabilitation of enlarged spike holes in rail fastenings



Jan. 15, 1957 J. R. SNYDER 2,777,641

REK'IABILITATION OF ENLARGED SPIKE HOLES IN RAIL FA$TENINGS Filed Oct. 24, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheei l INVENTOR. -jvcols- 052, zwose ATTORNEYS Jan. 15, 1957 J. R. SNYDER 2,777,641

REHABILITATION OF ENLARGED spm: HOLES IN RAIL FASTENINGS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 24, 1951 11v VEN TOR.

- Jkcaa Rush SW05 YW, i

I I w I I i A I'TOR/V 7s REHABILITATION OF ENLARGED SPIKE HflLES IN RAIL FASTENINGS Jacob Rush Snyder, Cleveland, Ohio Application October 24, 1951, Serial No. 252,958

15 Claims. (Cl. 238366) This invention relates to metal-to-wood fastenings, such as rail fastenings, and more particularly to the rehabilitation of enlarged spike holes in wood members or railway ties.

The present invention is further concerned with fastenings of the kind in which a filler member and a woodhardening treating material are used in a spike hole which extends entirely through the wood member or tie and, as one of its objects, provides a novel method and means for sealing the lower portion of the spike hole in a manner to retain the treating material therein and permit pressurization of the treating material into the wood tie and filler member, preferably by the driving of the spike into the spike hole.

Another object is to provide a novel method and means for sealing the spike hole in the wood member of a fastening of the character mentioned in which a substantially spherical rigid element, such as a glass ball, is advanced into the spike hole and seated therein to form a substantially fluid-tight closure at a point spaced a substantial distance from the upper end of the spike hole.

A further object is to provide a novel fastening and method of the character mentioned employing a filler member and a closure ball for retaining the treating material in the spike hole, and in which the filler member is of a cross-sectional shape to only partially fill the spike hole.

Still another object is to provide a novel fastening of the kind referred to employing a closure ball and a filler memher, and in which the filler member or a portion thereof forms a Wedge strip along one side of an enlarged spike hole being rehabilitated.

As an additional object, this invention provides a novel driving tool for seating a closure ball in the spike hole of a wood member, and, also provides a novel driving tool for advancing a grooved or hollow filler member in such a spike hole.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the accompanying drawings and in the following detailed description.

The rehabilitation of spike holes by the use of a filler member and a wood-hardening glue therein is also disclosed and claimed in copendiug application Serial No. 164,744 filed May 27, 1950, now Patent No. 2,690,878 granted October 5, 1954. Rail fastenings of the kind employing a wood-hardening glue and in which a closure member is used in the spike hole at a point spaced from its outer end to permit pressurization of the glue therein, are disclosed but not claimed in Patent No. 2,690,876 granted October 5, 1954, on my copending application Serial No. 47,653 filed September 3, 1948.

in the accompanying sheets of drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a rail fastening embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view corresponding With a portion of Fig. l and showing one of the spike holes after the introduction of the closure ball, but prior to the insertion of the filler member;

nited States Patent Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of the rail fastening, taken substantially on section line 33 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section taken through such filler member on section line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation showing a driving tool for use I in seating the closure ball in the spike hole;

Fig. 8 is an end view of the driving tool as seen from the lower end thereof;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view, on a larger scale and with portions in section, further illustrating the ball-engaging end of the driving tool of Fig. '7;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation showing a driving tool for use in driving the hollow or grooved filler member into a spike hole;

Fig. 11 is an end view of the lower end of the driving tool of Fig. 10; I

Fig. 12 is a plan view similar to Fig. l, but showing a modified form of rail fastening;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan View corresponding with a portion of Fig. 11 and showing one of the spike holes after the introduction of the closure ball, but prior to the insertion of the filler member;

Fig. 14 is a transverse vertical section through the modilied rail fastening taken substantially on section line 1414 of Fig. 12 and showing the initial and fully driven positions for the spikes;

Fig. 15 is a side elevation showing a spike hole filler member of a different form;

Figs. 16 and 17 are end views of the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the filler member of Fig. 15; and

Fig. 18 is a partial vertical section similar to Figs. 3 and 14, but showing a fastening being made by the use of the modified filler member of Fig. 15.

As one example of the rehabilitation of an enlarged spike hole by the present invention, Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive show a rail fastening 10 in which a conventional railway rail 11 having a head 12 and a base flange 13 rests on tie plate 14 which is supported by a wood railway tie 15. The tie 15 has a pair of used and somewhat laterally enlarged spike holes 16 extending thereinto crosswise of the grain of the tie and which are being rehabilitated by the present invention as is explained in detail hereinafter.

Each of the spike holes 16 is one from which a conventional cut spike, such as the spike 17 having a head 18 and a plain stem 19 of a substantially square cross-sectional shape, has been withdrawn. The upper portion of the spike hole 16 from which the stem 19 has been withdrawn is of a corresponding substantially square cross-sectional shape. The lower portion 16* of the spike hole is a substantially cylindrical portion and represents the remaining portion of a conventional bore which had been previously formed in the tie 15. This conventional cylindrical bore extended entirely through the tie and is the preformed bore into which the spike 17 was initially driven.

The tie plate 14 is here shown as being a conventional metal tie plate having an upstanding shoulder 20 extending thereacross for gauging cooperation with the longitudinal edge of the base flange 13 of the rail 11. The tie :are driven into the tie through such tie plate openings.

The heads 18 of the spikes 17 overhang the base fiange 13 of the rail'rl-l for retaining the rail in place, and hence, these spikes are frequently referred to as line spikes. Additionally, the tie plate 14 is here shown as having a second pair of openings 23 through which similar introduced into the spike hole through the open upper end thereof and is advanced therein to a position of seatsectionalshape and is of a size to correspond substanti'ally with the plan dimensions of the square upper portion of the spike hole 16. This filler member has a longitudinal groove or channelirecess 29 therein which imparts to the filler member a hollow channel-like cross sectional shape such that when the filler member has been introduced into the spike hole, as shown in Figs.

. 1 and 3, it only partially fills the spike hole and the The method and means of the, present invenr channel recess 29 defines a longitudinal passage in such spike hole.

The passage formed by the longitudin algroove 29"? extends along one side wall of the spike hole and exposes the cross grain of the portion of the wood tie I5Wl1ich defines this side wall of: the spike hole. The back or web portion 29b of the filler member 29 extends along the opposite side wall of the spike hole and forms a filler strip therealong for wedging cooperation with'the ing engagement with the wood; of the tie surrounding the V spike hole to form a substantially fluid-tight closure for the lower portion of the spike hole. The point of seating engagement of the spherical closure member or ball 25 is indicated at 2,6 and'i's locateda substantial distance stem 19v of the spike 17 when the latter is driven into the rehabilitated spike hole. V

from the upper end ofthe spike hole 16, and immediately below the lower end of the. square upperportion of this spike hole. The. losure member 25, is advanced into the spike hole 16 for a distance such that it will be located a somewhat greater distance; from the upper end of the spike hole than the distance which the stem 19 of the spike 17 will extend, into such spike hole. In

other words, the seated positionof the closure member '25 in, the spike hole 16, should be a sulficient distance from. the upper end of the spike hole such that when the spike 17 is driven into the hole, its lower end will not' strike the closure member.

The closure .rnember 25. can be introduced into the spike hole 16 by simply dropping the same thereinto or by advancing the closure. member downwardlyinto the spike hole by means of a driving tool 27 which is shown in Fig. 7 andwill be presently described. When the spike hole is not obstructed by frayed. wood or wood splinters the closure. member 2 5v will usually drop freely by gravity tolthebottornof the square upper portion of the spike hole. In cases where. the hole: i5 Partially obstructed by frayed Wood. or splinters, the closure member must be advanced into: the hole bythe driving tool.

27 and, in so doing, the closure. member produces a de sired smoothing. action on the Woodand thus clears the spike hole into which it has been driven. In thus seating the closure member 25; in the; spike hole: 16, it is. engaged against or forced part-wayinto the upper end.

of the remaining portion of the original cylindrical through bore 16 of the tie suchas. to form a substantially fiuid-tight annular seal with. the wood of the tie at the location of the seating-engagement 2 6. V

The closure member 25 isa rigidlsubstantially spherical member or ball as, mentioned above and can be made of glass, metal, plastic or anyother suitable material. Closure members for this purpose which are made of glass, for example glass marbles, have been found to be very economical and satisfactory for use in the; rehabilitationof the spikeholes of thesemetal-to-wood-fastenings.

After the, closure member 25- has been thus introduced intothe spikeghole 16 andscatedtherein to. form a fluidwith the length'or depth of the square upper portion of the spike hole, that is to say, for adist-ance such that.

the lower end of the peg will be located at or adjacent the closure member 25. V The. filler member 2 9, is. of a generally square Qross- 7 o e be een h p ke and the losur member. 25 an In the case of the spike. hole, 16, shown in Figs 1 and 3, the enlargement of the spike hole has'been a lateral enlargement in a direction away from the rail 12 as is usually the case in rail fastenings of this character-and which lateral enlargement has resulted from the outward thrust transmitted to the spike: by the, spreading action exerted on the railsof the track, bytrains passing there over. In the rehabilitation of such a laterallygoutWa-rdly enlarged spike hole the filler member 29; is driveninto the spike hole 16, with; the web portion 29 of the filler member located alongthe side, ofthe spike hole which;

is remote from the nail 12. When the spike17 is driven into. the sp e hol 1 e web Portion- 2 of he filler member wi t en. f rm a e e s r p. W s w lltake p e p c e l i ro the- -nlar eme ot the pi e hole and will wedge the spike, laterally inwardly toward the rail 12, such that the spike; will occupy substantially the position which it had before thelateral enlargement.

of the spike hole occurred. 7 V a After filler membe 23 has. be n. intr uced int e Spike 1 .1 an iar rr to, e drivin tthe p k --11 thereinto, aquantity of treating material. 30 is int-reduced t the p sag o t e pik hole. which is formed; by the channel recess 29 of the filleumembert This, treating material is a wood-hardening material and is also.- a

cold-setting water-insolubleglue.; In addition to. its

woodrhardening property; the treating material also;

forms; anadhesive bond between. the filler member and thewood: tie,.and; also. between thespike. 17 and the-wood of the filler member and tie. 7

As,- such treating materiaL/the present invention. contemplateszthe. use ofa thermosetting, or potentiallyther mosetting,; synthetic resin glue such as resorci'nolv formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde '0: any one of various other such synethic resin materials which are thermosettingor potentially thermosetting in character, The treating material isintroduced into the spike hole in an initially fluidcondition and thereafter assumes a set condition at ord-i na'rytemperatures; This invention also contemplates that various miktures oi the above-mentioned'synthetic resin materials could be used or mixtures of one or more of those materials'wi-th formaldehyde or witha-v-inylresin or-various' other materials.

After the treating-material 3th which forconveniencecan be referred to hereinasa wood-hardening glue, has been introduced into-the passage-29 of=thespike hole 16,

in the spike hole 16:, such that duringthe driving of the spike thereinto the glue will be pressurized in the spike will be forced into, the wood of'th e filler memberv 29 and, into, the portionsof the wood of the tie IS- mmMiately surrounding the spike hole. This pressurizationofthe glue in the spike hole, thus causes the filler member29 and the surrounding portions of the wood tie 15 to be impregnated with the glue. It is obvious, of course, that the spike must have a sufliciently tight engagement with the spike hole to prevent the escape of glue and cause the pressurization thereof when the spike is driven into the hole.

During the driving of the spike 17 into the spike hole 16, the tiller member 29 will become more or less splintered or broken but will be sufficiently distributed along the stem of the spike, such that the spike will have a tight fit in the rehabilitated spike hole and when the glue becomes set it will harden the wood of the surrounding tie portions as well as the wood of the filler member and will thus cause the surrounding tie portions to be so strengthened and reinforced that it will not be subject to lateral enlargement as the result or" thrust transmitted to the spike from the rail and will also enable the spike to remain tight in the spike hole. Additionally, the glue will form an adhesive bond between the spike 17 and the wood of the tie and filler member, as mentioned above. The spike will, therefore, have a good, or even an increased, holding power in the wood tie 15 such that it will not readily work loose during passage of trains over the track and leakage of brine, rain or corrosive liquid into the spike hole around the spike will be substantially prevented.

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 of the drawings show another form of a rail fastening in which worn spike holes 32 of a Wood tie 33 are being rehabilitated by the present invention. Each of the spike holes 32 is a laterally enlarged spike hole from which a cut spike such as the spike 34 has been withdrawn. The rail 35 is a replacement rail of a heavier weight which has been substituted for a worn rail of a lighter weight. Because of the use of a replacement rail of a heavier weight, a tie plate 36 having pairs of more widely spaced openings 37 therein is being used in this fastening. The wider spacing of the pairs of openings 37 of the tie plate 36 results in the situation shown in Figs. 12 and 14 in which the portion 36 of the tie plate overhangs the worn spike holes 32.

Prior to the replacement tie plate 36 being placed on the tie 33, the closure member 39 and the filler member 49 are introduced into each of the spike holes 32 in the same manner and for the same purposes as has been described in detail above in connection with the rehabilitation of the spike holes 16. In this case, however, the filler member 49 is introduced into the spike hole 32 with the web portion 49 thereof extending along the side of the spike hole which is nearest the rail 35. When the tie plate 36 is placed on the tie 33, the tie plate portion 36 will then overlie and cover the upper end of the strip portion of the filler member 40 as shown in Fig. 14. The longitudinal passage formed in the spike hole by the channel recess 45 of the filler member 40 will extend along the side wall of the spike hole which is remote from the rail 35 and will expose the cross grain of the wood of this portion of the tie. The upper end of this passage of the spike hole will be exposed and accessible through the tie plate opening 37.

Prior to the driving of the spike 34 into the passage of the spike hole 32, a quantity of wood-hardening glue 41 of the kind mentioned above is introduced into the spike hole through the tie plate opening and during the driving of the spike, this glue will be pressurized in the spike hole and between the spike and the closure member 39 and will be forced into the wood of the tiller member 413 and into the portions of the tie surrounding the spike hole.

When the spike 34 has been fully driven into the spike hole 32, it will extend along the wedge strip itl of the filler member and will have a tight engagement in the rehabilitated spike hole. The wood-hardening assumes a set condition after the spike has been driven and hardens the wood of the surrounding portions of the tie r 6 and the wood of the filler member such that the spike will have increased holding power in the rehabilitated spike hole. The glue also forms an adhesive bond between the tie and the wood of the tiller member as well as an adhesive bond between the spike and the wood of the tie and the wood of the filler member.

Fig. 15 of the drawings shows a filler member 43 of a somewhat different form and which comprises an upper substantially flat stem portion 43* of a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape and a lower enlarged portion 43 of a substantially square cross-sectional shape. The enlarged lower portion 43 preferably also has a wedge-shaped point 44 on the lower end thereof.

Fig. 18 shows the filler member 43 being used in a worn and laterally enlarged spike hole 45 for the rehabilitation thereof. During the driving of the filler member 43 into the spike hole 45, the enlarged portion 43 forms a combined plug and guide portion which substantially fits the square portion of the spike hole in which it is located and also serves as a positioning means by which the fiat upper stem portion 43 of the filler member will be located and held in adjacent relation to a side wall 45 of the spike hole. The flat upper stem portion 43 forms a wedge strip extending along the side wall 45 and only partially fills the spike hole 45, leaving a longitudinal passage 45 along the opposite side wall which exposes the cross grain of the wood of this portion of the tie.

Prior to the driving of the filler member 43 into the spike hole 45, a closure member 46 in the form of the above described rigid spherical member or ball is introduced into the spike hole in the same manner and for the same purpose as has been previously described herein. After the filler member 43 has been introduced into the spike hole 45, a quantity of wood-hardening glue 47 of the kind described above is introduced into the passage 45* of the spike hole and is more or less confined in the portion of the spike hole which is located above the plug portion 43 of the filler member. A spike 48 is driven into the spike hole 45 and into the passage 45 thereof and pressurizes the wood-hardening glue 47 therein. During such driving of the spike 48, the closure member 46 prevents the escape of the glue from the spike hole such that the glue will be pressurized into the wood of the filler member and into the portions of the tie surrounding the spike hole.

Although the use of a closure ball in a through spike hole of a wood tie has been described above as applied particularly to worn or used spike holes, the present invention also contemplates the use of such a closure ball in substantially the same manner and for the same purpose in unused spike holes, such as in the preformed through spike holes of new wood ties. In such unused spike holes, a filler member or peg is usually not needed and can be omitted.

Reverting now to the driving tool 27 for advancing and seating the closure members 25, 39, and 46 in the spike holes 16, 32 and 45, it will be seen from Figs. 7, 8 and 9 that this tool comprises a stem 5t} connected and carried by a handle 51. The stem 50 is a cylindrical stem of a size to freely enter the spike hole. At its lower end, the stem 50 is provided with a socket member 52 for engagement with the closure member or ball. The

socket member 52 is made of a softer and more yieldable material than the material of the stem 50 and the handle 51, as for example, leather, hard rubber, soft substantially on the axis of the spike-hole. For the purpose, thestem 50 is provided with. one or more guide rings 55 adjacent its lower end=andwhich are mounted on the stem by the engagement of these rings in corre-' spondi-ng annular grooves 56 of the-stem.

The lower endof the handle portion 51 of the driving tool 2 7 has a shoulder 51 thereon which provides a stop for engagement with the tie plate 14 and'limits the extent to which the stem 53 can move into the spike hole and, hence-, limits the distance which'the closure member 1 can be advanced into the spike hole. For example, when the tool 27, is used to seat the closure member 25 in the spike hole- 16, the shoulder 51 will engage the upstand- 1 ing shoulder 29 ofthe tie plate 14 and will thereby establish the maximum distance which the closure member can be advanced into the spike hole.

When the tool 27 is to be used for advancing a closure member into-a spike hole which'is located below one of the tie plate openings 23, a shorter effective length is desired for the stem 50 of the tool. This shorter eifectivelengthfor the driving tool 27 is. alsodesirable when the tie plate 14 does not have the upstanding shoulder ring to be slid onto the stem portion 50 in telescoping relation thereto and to be retainedon the stem portion by' its frictional grip thereon.

-Figs. 10 and 11 Show a driving tool 58 for use in handling portion and provided at its lower end with a locating pin 61. At the junction of the locating pin 61 'with the stem'portion 6d, the latter is provided with a shoulder 60 which is engageable with the upper end of the filler member for applying the thrust or driving force thereto. In the case of the filler members 29 and 41, the locating pin 61 engages in the upper end of the longitudinal groove or channel recess and in'the case of the tiller member 43 the locating pin lies against the adjacent face of the reduced upper stem portion of this filler member.

During the use of the driving tools 27 and 58', the handle portion is manually grasped for positioning the tool relative to the closure member or relative to the wood filler member, and a driving force is applied to the upper end of the handle by means of a hammer or a pres-v sure applying device. 7

Although the driving tools 27 and 58 can usually be used to advantage, their use is not mandatory in carrying' out the present invention. Instead of advancing the closure ball into a used spike hole by means of the tool 27 it can if desired, be advanced and seated in the spike hole by means of the filler member or peg. In some cases the closure ball will drop freely into a worn and enlarged spike hole and will engage the tapered por-.

tion usually found in such used spike holes and resulting from the tapered inner end of the cut spike. The seating ofthe closure ball to form the fluid-tight seal can then be accomplished either by the use of the tool 27, or preferably, by the driving of the filler member or peg into the spike. hole. 7

The above described filler members 29, 4t) and 43 have been referred to as being made of wood and having a longitudinal grain, but it should be understood that these members could also be in the form of molded filler members made of Wood meal, saw dust, or W005i flour and a tioned herein.

In all of the diflerent embodimentsof the invention il-- lustrated in the drawings, the fornrof the filler; member issuch that itonly partially fills; the spike hole, thus decreasing the transverse dimension thereof to an open remainingaxial passage. of a reduced cross-sectional size.

The usef of a filler: member, which reduces in cross-sec tional size; but doesnot fill, thespike hole. insures the'presence of the axial passage of reduced cross-sectional size for receiving the initially fluid glue and as a passage into which the-metal spike can be driven with a resulting tight engagement between the spike and the wood and withminirnum likelihood of causing splitting of the tie.

From the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, it will now be readily understood that this inventi'on provides a novel method and means forrehabilitating enlarged fastening holesin wood members and" is especially useful in rehabilitating enlarged spike holes of wood railway ties. -It will now also be understood that this invention provides a novel methodand animproved metal-to-wood fastening in which a substantially spherical rigid closure member is employed in a spike hole and is seated-in-engagement with the wood surrounding such hole .to form a substantially fiuid tight closure for retaining a treating material or, wood-hardening glue in the spike hole. Additionally, it will be seen that this invention provides a novelmethod and fastening in which a filler member is employed in such a spike hole in combination with the substantially spherical closure member and the woodhardening glue.

Although the rehabilitation 'of enlarged spike holes. as contemplated by the present invention has been illustrated and described herein to. a somewhat detailed extent, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not to be regarded as being limited correspondingly in scope but includes all changes and modifications coming within the terms of the claims hereof.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. in a method of making metal-to-Wood rail fastenings of the kind employing wood-hardening glue in a preformed fastening hole extendingthrough a wood member, the step of advancing a substantially spherical rigid element in said hole and seating said element against the wood defining the sides of the. hole such that the seated element forms a substantially fluid-tight closure for said hole at a point spaced a substantial distance from the outer end of'said hole.

2. In a method of making metalato-wood rail fastenings the steps of, introducing a substantially rigid ball element into a preformed spike hole which extends through a Wood tie or thelike, seatingsaid ball element against the wood of the tie so as to close said hole at a point spaced a substantial distance from the upper end of said hole, intro; ducing a s'ettable wood-hardening glue in fluid form into said hole from said outer end, and then driving a'metal spike into said hole from said upper end, said spike having a sufiiciently tight fit in said hole to prevent the escape of glue sufiiciently to pressurize said glue in said hole between the spike and said ball element for forcing some of said glue into the wood surrounding said spike hole.

3. In a method of making metal-to-wood rail fastenings the steps of, introducing a substantially rigid ball element into a preformed spike hole which extends through a wood tie or the like, seating said ball element against the Wood of the tie so as to close said hole at a point spaced asubstantial distance from the, upper end of said hole, intro.- ducing a filler member into said spike hole from saidupper end to extend longitudinally in said hole and occupy a portion only of the space thereof so as to leave an open remaining axial passage of a reduced cross-sectional size,

I introducing a settable wood-hardening glue in fluid form into said axial passage from said upperend, and-then.

driving a metal spike into said hole from said upper end, said spike having a sufificiently tight fit in said hole-to prevent the escape of glue sufficiently to pressurize said glue in said passage between the spike and said ball ele.-.

ment for forcing some of said glue into the wood surrounding the spike hole.

4. In a method of rehabilitating enlarged spike holes extending through wood members such as railway ties the steps of, introducing a substantially spherical rigid ball element into such a spike hole from the upper end thereof, seating said ball element against the wood of said tie to form a substantially fluid-tight closure for said hole at a point spaced a substantial distance from said upper end, introducing a hollow filler member of fibrous material into said spike hole axially thereof frorn'said upper end to partially fill the hole and define therein an open remaining axial passage of a reduced cross-sectional size, introducing a settable wood-hardening glue in fluid form into said passage, and driving a metal spike into said hole from said upper end, said spike having a suficiently tight fit in said hole to prevent the escape of glue suificiently to pressurize said glue in said axial passage between said spike and said ball element for forcing some of said glue into said filler member and into the wood surrounding the spike hole.

5. In a rail fastening or the like, a wood tie having a preformed spike hole extending therethrough, a metal spike driven into said hole from the outer end thereof, the portion of the tie surrounding said hole being impregnated with and hardened by a wood-hardening glue, said glue being initially contained in said hole in a fluid but settable condition and being pressurized into said tie portion by the driving of said spike into said hole, and a substantially spherical rigid ball element in said hole and seating against the wood to form a substantially fluid-tight closure for said hole at a point spaced from said outer end such as to permit the pressurization of said glue in said hole by the driving of said spike, said spike having a suificiently tight lit with said hole to cause said pressurization.

6. In a rail fastening or the like, a wood tie having a preformed spike hole extending therethrough, a metal spike driven into said hole from the outer end thereof, the portion of the tie surrounding said hole being impregnated with and hardened by a wood-hardening glue, said glue being initially contained in said hole in a fluid but settable condition and being pressurized into said tie portion by the driving of said spike into said hole, and a substantially spherical rigid glass ball in said hole and seating against the wood and forming a substantially fluid-tight closure for said hole at a point spaced from said outer end such as to permit pressurization of said glue in said hole by the driving of said spike, said spike having a sufliciently tight fit in said hole to cause said pressurization.

7. In a rail fastening or the like, a wood tie having a preformed spike hole extending therethrough, a filler member extending axially in said hole and decreasing the transverse dimension thereof to an open remaining axial passage of a reduced cross-sectional size, a metal spike driven into said hole, said filler member and the portion of the tie surrounding said hole being impregnated with and hardened by a wood-hardening glue, said glue being initially contained in said hole in an initially fluid but settable condition and being pressurized into said filler member and tie portion by the driving of said spike into said hole, and a substantially spherical rigid ball element in said hole inwardly of said filler member and seating against the wood to form a substantially fluid-tight closure for said hole to permit pressurization of said glue therein by the driving of said spike, said spike having a sufficiently tight fit in said hole to cause pressurization of said glue upon the driving of said spike into said hole.

8. A rail fastening or the like as defined in claim 7 in which said substantially spherical rigid ball element is a glass ball.

9. In a rail fastening or the like, a wood tie having a preformed bore extending therethrough and the upper portion of which bore constitutes a laterally enlarged 75 plug portion is of a size and shape to substantially fill spike hole portion, a filler member extending axially in.

said spike hole portion, said filler member and the por.--

tion of the tie surrounding said spike hole portion being impregnated with and hardened by a wood-hardening glue, said glue being initially contained in said passage in an initially fluid but settable condition and being pressurized into said filler member and surrounding tie portion by the driving of said spike into said spike hole portion, said spike having a sufficiently tight engagement with said hole portion to cause pressurization of said glue when the spike is driven into the hole portion, and a substantially spherical rigid ball element in said bore and seated against the wood of the tie so as to forma substantially fluid-tight closure in said bore adjacent the lower end of said spike hole portion and against which closure the initially fluid glue is pressurized by the driving of said spike.

10. In a rail fastening or the like, a wood tie having a preformed bore extending therethrough and the upper portion of which bore constitutes a laterally enlarged spike hole portion, a channeled fibrous'filler member extending axially in said spike hole portion and decreasing the transverse dimension thereof to an open remaining axial passage of a reduced cross-sectional size, a metal spike driven into said passage, said filler member and the portion of the tie surrounding said spike hole portion being impregnated with and hardened by a wood-hardening glue, said glue being initially contained in said passage in an initially fluid but settable condition and being pressurized into said filler member and surrounding tie portion by the driving of said spike into said passage andspike hole portion, said spike having a sufficiently tightfitting engagement with said hole portion to cause the pressurization of said glue, and a substantially spherical rigid glass ball in said bore and seated against the Wood of the tie so as to form a substantially fluid-tight closure in said bore adjacent the lower end of said spike hole portion and against which closure the, initially fluid glue is pressurized by the driving of said spike.

11. In a rail fastening or the like, a wood tie having a preformed bore extending therethrough transversely of the grain of the wood and the upper portion of which bore constitutes a laterally enlarged spike hole portion, a wood filler peg extending axially in said spike hole portion and having a longitudinal channel recess defining anopen remaining axial passage of reduced cross-sectional size in said spike hole portion and exposing the cross grain of the portion of the tie surrounding said spike hole portion, a metal spike having a plain stem driven into said passage, said stem being wedged laterally against the exposed cross grain of the surrounding tie portion by said peg, said surrounding tie portion and said peg being impregnated with and hardened by a wood-hardening glue, said glue being initially contained in said passage in an initially fluid but settable condition and being pressurized into said peg and surrounding tie portion by the driving of said spike into said passage and spike hole portion, said spike having a sufliciently tight engagement with said spike hole portion to cause the pressurization of said glue, and a substantially spherical rigid ball in 7 said bore and seated against the Wood of the tie so as to form a substantially fluid-tight closure in said bore adjacent the lower end of said spike hole portion and against 12.1n a rail fastening or the like, a Wood tie having a preformed bore extending therethrough transversely of the rain of the wood and the upper portion of which bore constitutes a laterally enlarged spike hole portion, a wood filler peg in said spike hole portion and comprising integrally connected plug and strip portions of which said I of said spike.

alower section-of: said spike holeportion and said stripw portion extends along one side of said spike. hole portion and decreases the size thereof to: an open remaining lon-..-

- gitudinalpassage of reduced cross-sectional.size'extendr.

'ing along and exposing thecross grain of thefsurrounding; tieportion, said surrounding tie portion and'saidpeg bep nel recess, a tierplate on said tie, and having an opening therein, a rail resting on saidtie plate, said peg: being disposed-in said hole. with. the channel recess of the peg .facing away from the rail and-defining a longitudinal pasing impregnated with and hardened by a Wood-hardenaf ing glue, said glue being. initiallyv contained in said passage in an initially fluid but settable. condition and being pressurized into said peg and surrounding tie portion by the driving of a spike. into said passage and spike hole portion, and asubstantially spherical rigidball'in said bore and seatedagains't the wood of the tie so. as to form:

a substantially fluid-tight closure in said bore adjacent:

the lowerend of; said spike'hole portion and against which closure the initially fluid glue is pressurized by the driving 13. In a rail fastening ofthe character described; a wood tie having a preformed spike hole extendingtherea through, a tie plate on said tie and having. an opening overlying and exposing'the upper end of said spike hole, a railrestingon said'tie plate, a wood filler peg of channel shaped cross-section extending longitudinally in- .said spike hole, said peg being disposed in' 'said hole with V the channel recess of the peg facing away from said rail and defining a longitudinal passage of reduced. CIOSStS,C'..

tional size in-said spike hole along the. side of the latter which is remote from said rail, a'fastening spike driven intosaid passagethrough said opening, said peg and sur rounding tie portions being impregnated with. and harderred by a wood-hardening glue, said glue, being initially contained in said passage in an initially fluid but settahlzecondition and being pressurized into. said peg and sur rounding tie portions bythe driving of said spike into, said passage ofathe spike hole, said spike having a sulficiently tight-fittingengagernent with said peg and withgthe portions of the ties surrounding said spike hole to cause-pres.-

surization of the glue upon the driving of the spike, and a substantially spherical rigid ball in said spike hole and seated against the wood of the tie so as to form a substantially fluid-tight closure in said spike hole at a point in wardly of said peg and against which closure'the initially fluid glue is pressurized bythe driving of said spike. n14. In, a rail fastening of the character described, a

wood tie having a preformed spike hole extending there.-

-f. sage. ofreduced.cross-sectional size in thefspike hole along the side of the latter which is remote from said rail, said tie. plate being disposed on said tie witha portion thereof substantially covering the upper end of the web portion of said peg, andwith said opening exposing the upper end of said passage, a fastening spike driven. into. said passage through said opening, said pegand surrounding tie" portions being impregnated with and hardened by a woodhardening glue, said glue being initially containedin said passage in an initially. fluid but settable condition and being pressurized into said peg and surrounding tie portionsby the driving of said spike into said'passage ofthe spike hole, said spike. having a sufficiently tight-fitting engagement with said peg andwith the'portions of the tie surrounding said spike hole to cause pressurization-of the glue upon driving of the spike-into' saidspikehole, and a substantially spherical rigid ball in said spike hole and seated against the Wood of the tie so as to form a substantially fluid-tight closure in said: spike hole-'at-a point inwardly of said peg and'against which closu-re'the initially fluid glue is pressurized: by the driving of said spike. V

15. A method ofmaking rnetal-to-wood fastenings as defined in claim 3, in which theseating of said ball elethrough, awood filler peg of a channel shaped crosssection extending longitudinally in said spike hole and including a Web portion adjacent the bottom of the chanment against the wood oi the tie at such inwardly spaced point is accomplished by the driving of said filler member into the spike hole. 7,

References Cited 'm the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

